Cockleshell can collect
An easy winner of his bumper first time out on this track, the selection made a promising seasonal and jumping debut at Punchestown last month.
Although beaten over 12 lengths into fifth place behind Persian City, Cockleshell Road was noted doing his best work at the end and can be expected to come on plenty for the experience.
Noel Meade enjoyed a lucrative Christmas and is fancied to keep the momentum going with Kandari in the New Year Maiden Hurdle.
The son of Kahyasi had a very good start over jumps when half a length second behind Quiscover Fontaine at Gowran Park.
Quiscover Fontaine gave the form a decent boost when stepping up in class to score at Limerick next time.
Arthur Moore’s Native Clan should prove hard to beat in the Bambury Bookmakers’ Ashbourne Handicap Hurdle.
He caught the eye a couple of times, before being gambled on at Leopardstown last Friday. The touch went west when Native Clan, he was full of running at the time, was badly hampered approaching the home turn.
Edward O’Grady, who trains Cockleshell Bay, has prospects of an across the card double with Hazeymm in the WLR FM Maiden Hurdle at Tramore this afternoon.
A seasoned and well-travelled campaigner on the flat, Hazeymm ran too freely for his own good at Gowran Park but still managed a creditable second behind the smart On The Way Out.
The featured Wilf Dooly Chase may be best left to One Cool Cookie, down in class following his fourth behind Monet’s Garden at Huntingdon.
